Card-index.



PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

E. G. ALBREE.

CARD INDEX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

E. G. ALBREE.

CARD INDEX.

APPLICATION FILED 11116.22, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

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EDWARD c; ALBREE, or SWAMPSoor'r, MASSACHUSETTS.

CARD-INDEX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. may 29, 1906.

\ Application filed August 22.1905. Serial No. 276,241.

' drawings.

Large card-indexes, such as are used in connection with bookkeeping or cost-accounting systems of large manufactories, are frequently se arated into a number of subdivisions, eac of which is kept in a separate drawer or division thereof. In such systems great care is required in placing the cards in their proper places to insure that the cards are not misplaced, as the value of the system is likely to be seriously injured if cards are not put in their proper places.

My invention has for its object to rovide a card-index of such construction t at the user may be readily assured that each card is in its own place, but which shall not require any cumbrous or expensive mechanism whatsoever to be used in connection with the card-drawer.

While I have designed my device with es pecial view to its use in connection with costaccounting and mercantile systems, it is equally applicable to any card system where there are subdivisions in which there are considerable numbers of cards. Cards embodying my invention may be used and the full benefit of the invent1on obtained with card-drawers of ordinary construction.

The invention will be fully understood by reference to the accom anying drawings, taken in connection Wit the specification, the novel features thereof being pointed out and fully described in the claims at the close of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drawer containing an index embodying m invention. Fig. 2, Fig. 3, and Fig. 4 are p an views of cards for use in an index similar to the one shown in Fig. 1.

. Referring now to the drawings, at A, I have indicated a card for use in the index shown in Fig. 1. Along the upper edge of the card and parallel with'it I place two rows B and C of characters, located in two rows of uniform spaces D. At each end ofthe two rows of uniform spaces D blank spaces are left for convenience in indexing or in order that the corners of the cards may be cut off or pecuplied.

n. harly shaped or cut away, as is common in connection with card-indexes of this character. In the uniform spaces D and beginning at the left-hand end, as shown in Fig. 2, I place the characters 1, 2, 3, 4, &c., to represent tens and number as many of the spaces in this way as is necessarv for the particular class of work to which the index is to be a If desired, the word Tens may e placed in the space next before that containmg the numeral 1. In the card shown in Fig. 2 I have given four of these spaces numerals, that card being adapted for use in a classification in which there are forty-nine subdivisions. After the fourth space D a space F is left, which may be blank or may have the wordUnits printed therein, as desired. In the next ten uniform spaces E are placed the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8,9,and 0. Each of the two rows B and C are provided with numerals in the same manner, the second row being intended to make it easy for a'person using the index to read the number of the card, although the numeral in the upper row has been obliterated by punchmg.

In practice each of the subdivisions is designated by a number-as, for instance, where the s stem is used in a factory the foundry may e 25" and the finishing department 36, &c. All of the cards issued to any one department are punched in the spaces the numerals of which correspond to the number of persons may be provided with punches which make characteristic marks. Two of such marks are shown in Figs. 3 and 4 at H and J, respectively. By this means it'is easy to determine the person who punched the card.

When the various cards belonging to a subdivision are placed in their card-drawers K, as seen in Fig. 1, the punch marks or notches G register with each other and form a groove as one looks across the top of the series of, cards in the drawer. Should a card belonging to another subdivision be placed in the drawer, its notches will not register with the notches of the other cards in the drawer, and the fact that a wrong card is in the drawer will be immediately apparent, as the view along the series of notches will be IIC obstructed. In Fi 1 I have shown a misplaced card L. he ortion of the card which extends across t e groove formed by the notches in the other cards forms a visual indicator which calls attention to the misplaced card.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a card provided with five tens-figures for use with a larger number of subdivisions or de artments, and in the card shown in Fig. 4 I ave shown the tens-figures replaced by letters of the alphabet, as is sometimes done.

What I claim is 1. The improved card-index system which comprises cards in subdivisions, the cards in each subdivision being provided with notches on a portion of the card which is visible when the cards are in place, the notches on all the cards in a subdivision registering with each other but the notches in no two subdivisions bein alike, whereby a visual indicator of a misp aced card is formed.

2. The improved card-index system which comprises cards in subdivisions, said cards being divided into spaces along the top and provided with symbols in the said spaces, all the cards in a subdivision being provided out to indicate the subdivision to w ich the card belongs and all the cardsin a subdivision being punched alike and being unlike the cards in any other subdivision.

4. The improved card-index system which comprises cards in subdivisions provided with spaces across the top numbered for tens and units, one or'more spaces be ing punched out to indicate the number of the subdivision, all the cards in a subdivision being punched alike and being unlike the cards in any other subdivision.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD C. ALBREE.

Witnesses:

, GEORGE P. DIKE,

ALICE H. MoRRIsoN. 

